Brendan Bialy, who was a friend of school shooting victim Kendrick Castillo, gives testimony via Zoom to the House Judiciary Committee on HB23-1230, the 2023 version of a ban on “assault” weapons, in the Old State Library at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on April 19, 2023. Colorado would ban the sale, transfer and importation of so-called assault weapons under a bill introduced Tuesday in the state House.in its first hearing, but this year’s version may have better chances.
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Tim Hernandez and Elisabeth Epps, both Denver Democrats. Epps sponsored last year’s similar bill. The new version is backed by 14 other members of the House Democrats’ 47-member caucus, including Rep. Jennifer Bacon, the House’s assistant majority leader, and Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, the chamber’s speaker pro tempore.
“Well-known places that should have only ever been known as sites safe for joy, learning, commerce and care are instead forever associated with tragedy of mass shootings perpetrated by weapons which should never have been available for use,” the bill states.this year, seizing on their growing majorities in the House and Senate and responding to allied groups that have demanded more action.An income tax cut is on Polis’ wish list, and Republicans want one, too.
But there’s reason to think this year will be different, at least in the House: Two of last year’s three Democratic “no” votes are no longer on the committee and have been replaced by legislators who are co-sponsoring this year’s bill.of the measure. That means the proposed ban’s ultimate passage — should it clear the House — remains in doubt, even amid historic Democratic majorities in the Capitol.